The nearly 500-mile trail system will run the length of the state and include more than two dozen huts.
In a big win for Northeast mountain bikers, the U.S. Forest Service recently approved a plan to allow 72 miles of roads and trails in the Green Mountain National Forest to be used as part of the new Velomont Trail.
The Velomont is a shared project between Vermont Huts & Trails and Vermont Mountain Bike Association (VMBA) for a multi-use, hut-supported trail system, optimized for mountain biking, that will run the length of Vermont.
The trail will consist of a network of 485 miles of new and existing trail, connecting 23 Vermont mountain biking chapters across public and private lands, linking 27 communities across the state. Plans also include building 30 new huts and five new downtown hostels.
Organizers working on the Velomont Trail say it is already well underway, but when complete, it will represent the largest hut-supported trail network in the U.S.
The newly designated section includes a mix of new trail construction, upgrades to existing routes, and targeted relocations to improve sustainability and user experience. Organizers said that once complete, it will expand mountain bike access to areas where limited or no opportunities currently exist, increase connectivity between rural towns, and open new points of entry to the outdoors.
“This decision is a huge leap toward connecting Vermont’s communities and trail networks through the Velomont,” said RJ Thompson, Executive Director of Vermont Huts & Trails. “It represents years of planning, extensive specialist review, and thoughtful engagement with partners and the public to ensure the trail benefits both people and the environment.”
Angus McCusker, Velomont Trail Director at Vermont Huts & Trails, said a significant portion of the 72 miles that were recently approved are co-located with the Catamount Trail, the popular backcountry ski trail that runs the length of Vermont.
“A majority of the Catamount Trail is winter use only and is not suitable for year-round use,” said McCusker. “However, with this approved mileage, several sections of the Catamount Trail can be made suitable for year-round use as the Velomont Trail with key trail tread improvements and minor reroutes to avoid sensitive areas such as wetlands.”
Construction on the trail can begin immediately, with phased openings as sections are completed.
